"I-I'm really sorry, Hikigaya-kun."
"It's no problem. Next week's totally fine for paying me back."
Hikigaya was on the phone with Toyokawa Shoko.
He'd lent her a thousand yen last Friday evening.
Honestly, he'd almost forgotten about it, but Shoko clearly hadn't—she still felt very guilty about it.
Since the two of them lived far apart—he in Chiba, she in Tokyo—it wasn't easy for her to return the money right away. So she suggested paying him back next week instead.
Hikigaya, of course, didn't mind at all.
"Then, see you next weekend, Hikigaya-kun."
"Mm, see you next weekend."
Hikigaya agreed with a sigh.
But the moment he hung up, Komachi slithered over to where he was lying on the sofa, like an eel.
"Hehehe~ Onii-chan, so you already set up a date with Shoko-nee that quickly?"
Komachi teased him with a mischievous smile.
"You were eavesdropping."
Hikigaya shot her an annoyed glance.
"How was that eavesdropping? I just heard it normally!"
Komachi beamed, continuing, "You know, Onii-chan, Shoko-nee's personality is actually a lot like Yukino-nee's. She's gentle, pretty too... and even kind of looks like Yukino-nee~"
"Does she?"
Hikigaya frowned.
"Doesn't she? Come on, think about it carefully."
Komachi said encouragingly.
"..."
Well, maybe in some ways they were alike personality-wise. Though Yukinoshita had a sharp tongue, which Shoko completely lacked. If anything, Shoko might even be more gentle than Yukinoshita.
As for appearances... maybe a little resemblance, but nowhere near as much as Horikita had resembled his girlfriend.
Wait a sec!
Why am I comparing Toyokawa and Yukinoshita at all!?
That's seriously messed up!
Hikigaya glared at Komachi. "Yukinoshita is Yukinoshita. Toyokawa is Toyokawa. Stop trying to stir things up."
"But Onii-chan, Shoko-nee would make a great sister-in-law too! She's beautiful, gentle, and best of all, you wouldn't have to marry into her family!"
Komachi said brightly.
"What's wrong with me being a kept man?"
Hikigaya waved dismissively.
"Eh? Onii-chan, you really like mooching off Yukino-nee that much? If you keep going like this, you're gonna turn into a complete bum!"
Komachi said anxiously.
"Then so be it. Yukinoshita will take care of me."
Hikigaya said, giving up on life.
"Onii-chan, you can't just rot like this! If you do, how will you ever hold your head high in Yukino-nee's family? You'll just end up being a slave they boss around!"
Komachi said in a panic.
"Well…"
Hikigaya averted his gaze. Truth was, he already was basically a slave. Oh well… he owed Yukinoshita too much anyway.
"Onii-chan, if you become Yukino-nee's household slave, their family dog even… will Komachi even get to see you anymore? I bet they'll tie you up with a leash and everything..."
Komachi looked like she was on the verge of fake crying, crocodile tears incoming.
"..."
Hikigaya sighed. "You're being ridiculous. That's not gonna happen."
"Onii-chan, you dummy, Japan's old-money families have tons of rules."
"...Yukinoshita's family isn't exactly 'old money,' though."
"In Chiba, they totally count. And compared to our family, Onii-chan, you and Yukino-nee are from completely different leagues."
"Wow, that's harsh…"
Hikigaya let out a tired breath.
"That's why you should keep your options open, Onii-chan. There are other sister-in-laws to consider~"
Komachi grinned and switched tactics instantly, trying to tempt him again.
Hikigaya couldn't be bothered to respond.
Just as he was about to put away his phone, it suddenly rang again.
"!!"
He froze, thinking Shoko might be calling back.
But when he saw the caller ID—Nagasaki Suyo—the calm expression on his face shifted slightly.
"Nagasaki Suyo? That sounds like a girl's name~ Onii-chan, hurry up and answer!"
Komachi's eyes lit up, full of excitement.
Hikigaya glanced at her warily. "Don't say anything weird while I'm on the call, got it?"
"Roger that~"
Komachi zipped her lips with a gesture.
Hikigaya took a deep breath and answered.
"Hello, Nagasaki-san…"
"Hi, Hikigaya-kun! I'm so sorry for calling so late. Is now a bad time?"
Suyo's voice came through, a bit apologetic.
"Not at all. What's up, Nagasaki-san?"
"Well, about last Friday... You really helped me out by walking me home. I'm super grateful, and I wanted to find some time to thank you properly. Would it be okay if we met up sometime?"
"Eh? Oh no, it's fine, really. It wasn't a big deal."
Hikigaya hurriedly declined.
"Is it because of your girlfriend?"
Suyo sighed, exasperated. "Should I get her permission first? Just to make sure Yukinoshita-san won't worry? I really only wanted to say thanks. I hope she won't take it the wrong way."
"Eh? My girlfriend!?"
Hikigaya's heart skipped a beat.
This dangerous girl meeting Yukinoshita? That's a cold sweat waiting to happen.
He had no choice.
"…All right, fine."
"Yay, then it's settled! Let's meet up when you have some free time. Oh right—has Shoko contacted you lately?"
"Eh?"
"So she has! How nice. Shoko rarely takes an interest in anyone. For a guy to catch her eye... Hikigaya-kun, you really are something~"
"Uh, it's just... normal conversation."
Suyo's tone was sweet, but something about it was deeply unsettling.
"'Normal conversation'? Hehe~ Oh, Hikigaya-kun, you're such a joker. When Shoko takes someone seriously, she means it. It's obvious she cares about you a lot. Oh my, could it be that Shoko actually… likes you?"
"Cough, cough—Nagasaki-san, I'm sure Toyokawa-san just sees me as a friend."
Hikigaya said, clearing his throat.
"'Just a friend'? Aww, I'm jealous. Shoko doesn't usually get close to people. For you to be a close friend… You must be really special."
Suyo said with a strange smile in her voice.
"Uh, aren't you and Toyokawa-san close friends too?"
Hikigaya asked cautiously.
"..."
There was a pause.
Then Suyo replied, still smiling: "Of course~ Shoko and I are definitely friends. Mmhmm. She's my best friend~ And now, Hikigaya-kun, you're a dear friend too~"
"Eh…"
Hearing that, Hikigaya got a massive headache.
Meanwhile, Komachi, who had been listening intently, was practically bouncing with excitement, barely managing to keep her mouth shut.
Looks like… another potential sister-in-law just got added to the list.